The Daily Beast Podcast This is What Proves Trump’s Dementia: Psychologist
Sep 21, 2025
Dr. John Gartner, a clinical psychologist and former Johns Hopkins professor known for his insights into mental health in politics, reveals alarming signs of Donald Trump's cognitive decline and malignant narcissism. Gartner discusses Trump's deteriorating language and physical gait, warning of the dangers posed by a leader displaying potential mini-strokes. He explores how Trump's behavior influences political dynamics, comparing it to historical leaders and noting his family's retreat from his volatility. The conversation raises critical questions about power, paranoia, and the implications for America.
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Visible Language Decline From Baseline
- John Gartner argues Trump's language and sentence construction have deteriorated compared to his baseline.
- He cites phonemic and semantic paraphasias and tangential speech as signs of organic brain disease.
Personality Disorder Predates Decline
- Gartner says Trump has lifelong malignant narcissism that predates any dementia.
- He warns the combination of a personality disorder plus cognitive decline is a worst-case scenario for danger and unpredictability.
Early-Life Cruelty Example
- Gartner recounts an early-life behavior he attributes to Trump: throwing rocks at neighborhood babies.
- He uses this as an example of enduring malicious traits consistent with a personality disorder.
